New CD Reviews: Madonna, Outkast, Angels and Airwaves and More
Tom DeLonge (of Blink 182 fame) went in search of a new project that would elevate his rock credibility after years of pop hits with Blink 182. DeLonge, along with former members of the Distillers and The Offspring, joined to make Angels and Airwaves. Angels and Airwaves seems to be aiming towards a more sophisticated approach to rock and roll while maintaining elements of emo rock and pop.
DeLonge’s vocals are noticeable and consistent throughout “We Don’t Need to Whisper” but the production elements and actual music are not as sophisticated as Angels and Airwaves would hope. Songs like “Valkyrie Missile” and “The Adventure” are too long to be successful radio hits and while they experiment with the use of synthesizers and long introductions, they are not much more sophisticated than songs by Blink 182 and The Offspring. DeLonge, who was part of the 2004 rock effort to elect John Kerry, is growing up but its going to take another record that gets back to rock roots that don’t involve the use of machines to mask more of the same.
Grade: C+
Donavon Frankenreiter, Move by Yourself
Frankenreiter, in his sophomore effort on Lost Highway Records, presents a solid radio single in “Move By Yourself” and settles down in the rest of the album of the same name. Frankenreiter’s second album is reminiscent of fellow Lost Highway Records member Ryan Adams, though his songs are more optimistic and positive in their outlook on life. The song “Move by Yourself” is an excellent, funky song that is similar to a Jamiroquai song. Songs like “These Arms,” “Everytime,” and “Beautiful Day,” are more tender and slow but demonstrate Frankenreiter’s strong singer-songwriter credentials. His effort in keeping up his career momentum should be successful with this record, as it seems to fit a strong push for singer-songwriters on the alternative charts.
Grade: B
Madonna, Get Together
Madonna’s “Get Together” single, as well as the accompanying remixes, follows the career arc that Madonna has set out on over the last decade. As opposed to the mixture of slower, more tender songs and fast paced, harder hitting songs, Madonna has become more fully a creature of the dance club and “Get Together” is an infectious song of the dance genre. The remixes, which demonstrate the popularity of Madonna over her two decade career, are none-too-subtle takes on “Get Together” and the single is adequate. “Get Together” will get people on their feet but is certainly not a classic Madonna song.
Grade: C+
Outkast, Mighty O
Outkast’s first effort on their song-movie effort “Idlewild,” “Mighty O” is an average Outkast song that demonstrates their recent inability to grow as musicians. It is the curse of the rapper to want to expand into clothing, movies, and television, but Outkast seems to be in trouble if this is the best effort they can compile. “Mighty O” is lined with criticisms of the government and George Bush, repeated use of Cab Calloway’s “hi-de-hi-de-ho” call, and a lethargic approach to their work as rappers. I look forward to seeing and hearing “Idlewild,” if only to see how strong of an artistic effort it is going to be.
Grade: C
Sarah Silverman, Jesus is Magic
Silverman, the oft-crass comedienne and former Mr. Show cast member, mixes incredibly inappropriate humor with stand up in this CD based on her stage show of the same name. The songs, like “The Porn Song,” try to be funny and reminiscent of a Broadway show but they fail in their efforts and end up being minutes of uncomfortable references to genitalia and sex acts. However, her stand up act is amusing because it leaves behind the needless production values of a stage show and rely on her timing and ability to draw out issues like race and gender to shake up our politically correct environment.
One particular mainstay of her act is in the track “Racist,” which deals with her various relationships with minorities. Those who don’t find her funny may not be aware that she is saying these things tongue in cheek and need to lighten up a bit or to address directly those things for which she is talking about. Artistically, however, Silverman fails in her effort to make a successful musical and stage show out of her act.
Grade: C
